D.I.Y Kayak Backpack for under $25

How often do we find ourselves shouldering our creekers up some long, crappy river access trail, or worse, up and out of some steep canyon followed by some great distance back to a shuttle vehicle. In spite of every one's battered and blistered shoulders, THIS ALMOST ALWAYS SUCKS!

Last fall a few friends and I met with some Vancouver locals who were heading out to paddle North Van's short but infamous Seymour Canyon run. While the unseasonably low water levels failed to provide any sort of sheer excitement, I at least ended the day feeling intrigued about a contraption that was being implemented by some locals during the 30+min trail crawl up to the Canyon's put-in.

Having seen and heard nothing but negative stories about most other Sherpa pack inspired, kayak carrying designs, my once kindled interest in owning such a device has long since flush drowned in some dark and dirty back eddy here in the Kootenays. Instead, many of us continue to opt for the standard 'alternating shoulder' kayak carry method. And why not? It's easy and free to own, and when one shoulder gets tired, we switch to the other... Ain't that reasonable? Naw really, If our shoulders could speak they would certainly tell us to f-off after a few minutes of this general abuse.

Now, if the pictures haven't already clued you in, here then is the skinny on how to build yourself one of these handy-dandy 'DIY kayak-backpacks' that have more or less redefined how I am going to carry my boat over those long, steep portages where low overhead brush is at a minimum.

Your shopping list:

2x Replacement Duffel Bag Straps from MEC/REI ($6 ea.)

4x Black Diamond 'Mini Micron' (or similar) luggage carabiners ($3 ea.)

1x Section of scrap throw rope (if needed) for building 2 seat mounted gear loops. (JK and a few other manf.'s do not currently come with any rear seat loops leaving us to get out a cordless drill and a coat hanger for rope guiding). ~Notice the dried blood left in my boat after I tore my knuckle off while reaching under the seat to feed rope through the holes I had drilled. Obviously, your kayak MUST also have 2 grab loops on the back-deck in order for this system to work successfully.

TOTAL COST: $24 + HST (12% Campbell Severance Pay Tax)

You may find that most duffel replacement straps come with heavy swiveling, latching mount mechanisms that I.M.O are the weakest part of the entire system... so bye-bye they go...

However, these mechanisms also conform to the strap's general flat shape, thus you may want to do some work to 'reform' the webbing so that it seats appropriately on each carabiner. In my case, the BD Microns each came with a 1" key ring that I was able to slip over the folded and biner'ed strap ends. This helps hold the freshly folded over webbing loops in place at each carabiner... Dammit, just look closely at the pic's and you should get the idea. Each folded strap mount will eventually 'break in' to their new shape after a simple portage or two.

Next, clip in to your seat and back deck grab-loops and adjust the straps to your torso and shoulders prior to putting the whole thing on your back. TIP: the longer the straps are set, the easier it is to put the unit on your body.

And, there you have it! Once sorted out, you will notice how balanced the boat feels while portaging, especially when the stern is slightly loaded with one's trusty safety gear, breakdown paddle, a chainsaw and a six pack of PBR.

"Hey, now where's that beer I put down?"

Carl.